Belichick praises former Titan GM Reese

Coach Bill Belichick has three Super Bowl rings, and has guided New England to four Super Bowls since taking over the Patriots 10 years ago.

Belichick credits Floyd Reese, the former Titans general manager, for helping him get on track in the NFL. They were on the Detroit Lions staff together in 1976-77.

Floyd Reese

The Patriots hired Reese as senior football advisor in February. The Titans visit the Patriots on Sunday.

“We were both learning a lot. But I was learning a lot from him,’’ Belichick said during a conference call with Tennessee media on Wednesday. “He was very much of a mentor type of guy to me. I was only in my second year. … He certainly taught me a lot about being a coach in the National Football League.’’

Belichick, in his 35th season in the NFL, and Reese stayed in touch over the years. Reese served as GM of the Titans from 1994-2006, but his contract wasn’t renewed in 2007. During his 33 NFL seasons, Reese has also worked as an assistant with the 49ers, Vikings and Oilers, in addition to the Lions.

Through a Patriots spokesman, Reese declined an interview request earlier this week.

“It has been great to have him on board here since February,” Belichick said. “He’s done a great job with us on the contracts and gives us a lot of insights from his perspective as a former general manager, a guy who has really done everything you can do in football, coaching and special teams and strength coach …

“He has a great knowledge base and gives me great perspective personally on things. In all honestly it is hard to find other people that have had that kind of experience that you have that close a relationship with. He has been great to have here.’’